A floating tree provided Sam Patella's fishermen aboard the American Angler with some dorado action as they searched for biters in southern waters. The boat didn't limit out, but most anglers got what they wanted in the way of "flats." Patella docked at Pt. Loma Sportfishing after the 10-day trip on October 10, and his jackpot winners posed with the best of the catch.

"He was squirrelly; he was all over the place!" said Mike Devereaux of Mission Viejo about the 89-pound tuna he bagged to take first place. "All the tuna we got down south were like that," he added.

Mike got his winner with a sardine on a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu hook and 60-pound Momoi line, connected to 80-pound Izorline Spectra backing. He fished with an Avet 30 reel and a Calstar 700 XH rod.

Regular angler Tom Szczeblowski of Yorba Linda was second, for a 73.5-pound yellowfin. Kurt Kohler of La Mesa took a 73-pounder and won third place.

An orange and red trolled Marauder produced a "normal-sized" wahoo for Monte Parsons of Lakeside when the American Angler visited Thetis Bank.